Azamara Club Cruises is a small ship cruise line known for its immersive travel experiences that emphasize local culture and destinations. The company offers a variety of cruise itineraries across diverse regions, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and South Pacific. With a focus on providing personalized service and unique excursions, Azamara aims to enhance the travel experience for its guests by allowing them to explore destinations in depth.
Targeting discerning travelers who seek a more intimate cruising experience, Azamara Club Cruises caters to individuals and families interested in discovering new cultures and landscapes. The company provides various onboard amenities and options for customization, such as signature dining and curated shore excursions. By emphasizing smaller ships and unique itineraries, Azamara differentiates itself in the competitive cruise industry, appealing to those looking for a more tailored and enriching vacation experience.
Azamara Club Cruises has a poor customer experience.
Azamara Club Cruises receives a mixed response from customers, with many expressing dissatisfaction regarding service and accommodations. Reviewers frequently mention poor customer service, with phrases like "customer service is a joke" and complaints about unfulfilled promises, such as missing free nights.
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The quality of cabins is another common issue, with descriptions of them as "exceeding poor" and "like a ferry boat," indicating a lack of space and outdated furnishings. However, some customers highlight the positive aspects of their experiences, praising the friendly staff, excellent food, and enjoyable itineraries. Despite the beautiful ports and decent service noted by a few, the overall sentiment leans negative due to the significant number of complaints about customer support and booking issues.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
2.1
55
100%
-1.7
● Low
2.1 / 5 overall
=
55 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Jul 2025.
Last 3 months
1.5▼ 1.7
12-month avg
2.7
All-time
2.1
Category avg
4.0
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Aug 24
3.0
2
Sep 24
—
0
Oct 24
3.0
1
Nov 24
—
0
Dec 24
3.5
2
Jan 25
—
0
Feb 25
—
0
Mar 25
5.0
1
Apr 25
2.7
3
May 25
1.0
1
Jun 25
—
0
Jul 25
1.7
3
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 55 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 13 positive reviews
Customer service31%
4 mentions
Selection15%
2 mentions
“Another great cruise”
On “Customer service” · Apr 21, 2025
Top complaintsof 38 negative reviews
Customer service53%
20 mentions
Cancellation32%
12 mentions
Payment issues26%
10 mentions
Refund18%
7 mentions
“Since the capital fund took over the cruise, they started to cut the cost, taking out the signature small things out...”
On “Customer service” · Jul 18, 2025
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Cruise Lines.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Took a cruise with Azamara in 2022 and had a lovely time, so when I got an email with early booking specials in Sept. of 2023, I checked it out. A few really good deals were on the website, so we selected a Sept. 2024 cruise in Greece. We paid in full at the time, but only chose that one because it was a good deal and we liked the cities it included. We otherwise would not have selected it because we have been to Athens before, and my husband teaches so he would have to get special permission to take a vacation in Sept (as opposed to the summer) and find someone to cover his classes. Eight months later, on Easter Sunday, we get a random invoice for over $5,000 with no explanation. Customer Service wasn't even open that day. After a week of trying, Azamara won't honor its original rate. They say they can change the price at any time, even after payment in full, and the price we got was a glitch (even though a few other prices at the time were similar, and as of yesterday, another cruise is listed at just a couple hundred more per person than we paid, plus that one has $1,000 in onboard or airline credits being offered). If they would have just contacted us right away, we could have avoided the thousands we spent on non-refundable flights to get to Greece for the cruise, but they didn't. Here we are, less than 5 months out, and they won't even offer us a discount on the current price, even though it was cheaper at other times (and we were deprived of a chance to book at those lower rates because we thought we were already booked). They said pay the new full price or get a refund, period. I never would have booked this cruise at the "full price" they have now - which is double what I paid for the 2022 cruise I took, by the way. Anyway, I have never left a bad review in my life, but I feel like I need to post this everywhere I can to warn people. We started researching and saw this has happened to others, too. If this has happened to you, I would encourage you to also file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. At least maybe those of us who have been treated this way can save others from the same fate.
I was on the Azamara Quest for a cruise in South America from Jan 22, 2024 - February 6, 2024. I diligently registered my blue cheese allergy prior to the cruise AND again on day one of the cruise. I also mentioned it each day in the dining room and always asked about the food to verify there was no blue cheese in anything I ate. While dining in the specialty steakhouse on January 29th, I was offered a bread roll by the wait staff. I asked what type of roll it was and was told it was a garlic roll. Well I took one bite of it and immediately started having an allergic reaction. My husband saw my reaction and immediately ran to our room to get my inhaler and epi-pen, just in case. Friends were there to help in the interim. I managed to ask if there was blue cheese in the roll and the waiter went to ask the kitchen. Sure enough there was gorgonzola cheese in it. Luckily I only needed my inhaler and allergy medicine and not the epi-pen but it was quite the scare. Even though it was noted by the restaurant staff, I reported the incident to the 'front desk' the next morning. After not getting better over a couple of days I went to the ship's doctor, told them what happened, and obtained additional meds. For the remainder of the trip I was sick. I couldn't taste or smell anything and because of my lowered immunity from fighting the allergen I also contracted an upper respiratory infection. My trip of a lifetime was basically ruined. Nothing was proactively done and no apologies were offered while I was onboard even after I reported the issue. On the last day, the ship's restaurant manager came over and spent 3 minutes apologizing but that was about it. When I asked for some kind of compensation - I was basically told no.
Once I got home, I contacted Azamara again. I was still sick with the upper respiratory infection (URI) which made the plane ride home miserable. I also had scheduled surgery soon after coming home which was in jeopardy because of my URI. I went to my primary care doctor to get different medicine immediately upon my return home in an attempt to clear out my sinuses in time for surgery.
I was told by the Azamara contact, an ‘Executive Resolution Specialist’, that the ship's crew said they proactively reached out multiple times and I refused treatment or any other form of help so they are not liable for anything. This is a total lie!!! They did offer me a ‘good will gesture’ of $35 reimbursement for the specialty meal. What a joke!!!
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We booked a cruise with Azamara, through six star cruises. Due to Covid, the cruise had to be cancelled and we accepted cruise credit - what a disaster. We have had to book two cruises, so far and still have credit left, because Azamara hold so much to force you to keep booking, or lose your money. This means paying far more money out, as the credit only covers a small part of the cruise. Please consider this company carefully, they have been awful with us and the booking company confirms that there are plenty of others like us!
The worst experience plus the worst customer service
We were recommended Azamara by our travel agent we were skeptical but decide give Azamara chance this was our 31st cruise it all started great till our bathroom didn't work for 6 days out of 12 days cruise the management staff just lie after lie. This ships are 20+ years old and ready for scrapyard out dated rooms small and we had Veranda plus bathrooms are for people who are 5 feet tell and 120 pounds other wise you wont fit staff are great but they have no control over useless managers of their department it definitely not 5 star cruise may be weak 3. Their is the reason it was sold by Royal Caribbean to Sycamore Group witch have rating in all fields big F just like their cruise line. I try to resolve when we came home to USA that was another horrible experience just lie after lie they will lie to you till you give up. Don't recommend Azamara unless you like to be lied to you and abuse
This reports on an Azamara cruise in December of 2023…
This reports on an Azamara cruise in December, Miami to Miami, on the Azamara Onward. We have been loyal Azamara customers (more than 20 cruises on the line), but are at the point of finding other options.
The pluses remain: Wonderful service and relatively competitive pricing. So do the minuses (incompetent reservations staff) and some new ones (seriously declining food quality).
On the last of these, food, it is apparent that the budget for food has been slashed. In the Windows Cafe (the buffet), protein largely has disappeared. It seemed as if every featured entree included mostly rice or pasta. The ship's roast entree? Gone. Sushi? Gone. Even a roast turkey as an entree is gone. On "French night," the entrecote (rib eye) is gone, replaced by "beef bourguignon." That was made of stew meat, with no discernible wine in the sauce. The following night featured "beef stroganoff," basically the same thing with some powdered milk thrown in.
Many entrees that should have been served warm were served at room temperature. Steam table food was left out too long, for example until the corners of sliced turkey turned brown. Golden Corral has better food, as does Royal Caribbean and many other non-upscale cruise lines. This is not good.
In the main dining room, filet mignon has disappeared from the menu, replaced by sirloin. Beef Wellington, formerly made with beef tenderloin, now is "Lamb Wellington," made with mutton. Disgusting.
We have booked one last cruise, which departs in July. We booked that last December and Azamara has yet to correctly calculate our on board credit or issue an invoice, despite repeated attempts by us to get one. So the back office still is a mess.
In short, I am sorry to say that I recommend you avoid this cruise line.
We booked a cruise on Azamara Cruise Lines for October 2024 on the Ancient Trade Routes cruise. We put $1000 down payment. In Oct. 2023 war broke out in Israel. We canceled the cruise as we do not fewl safe traveling to this area of the world. Azamara refused to give us our deposit back or.give us credit towards another cruise. I will never book another cruise with them. Buyer beware!
They are as bad if not worse as their reviews suggest!
The actually cruise was underwhelming, the rooms are tiny and dated despite us paying for a suite.
The food was not up to the premium prices they charge.
But the worst of all is their customer service, unfortunately some of our party were unable to attend through illness. To claim on the insurance we just need a letter from Azamara confirming they didn't show. I may as well be asking for moon rock, after 2 months they are incapable of sending this info, just get 'it'll be done in 2 days etc' after 4 chases we just keep getting the same response nothing happens.
I WILL NEVER BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY AGAIN AND I ADVISE EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME, LOOK AT THE OTHER REVIEWS THEY'RE MAINLY ATTROCIOUS.
I am supremely disappointed in my Azamara experience. I booked a cruise 2.5 weeks prior to departure. I booked the cruise directly with Azamara’s 800 number because it was so close to the departure date. We paid considerably more for the cruise than our friends because it was so close to the departure date, which is understandable and was acceptable. I was told by the booking agent on the phone that we would receive a $500 per person on board credit. The credit was never applied. On board the ship, the Pursuit, one customer relations rep, Marlon, told me it was my travel agent’s fault. I used Azamara to book it! Beyond that I was repeatedly read to from a script that stated if I couldn’t provide an OBC in writing that it would not happen because they had no proof and they required written proof. Basically, they assumed I was trying to get something I wasn’t promised or that I was an outright a liar. Customer Relations was very poorly trained.
Is this a bait and switch tactic by Azamara? Our four friends with whom we cruised do not have an e-mail or anything in writing that reflects an OBC, they received their OBC credit.
I had no illusion that the credit would happen. I do however wish it had been addressed in a more thoughtful or sincere manner. Their staff behaved a in an accusatory manner and it came off as a bait and switch… “pay the higher rate and in return we will reward you with this on board credit”.
Since returning home 2 weeks ago, I have reached out to Azamara by e-mail and phone. I’ve had no success in getting any response from them. Again, a customer relations fail.
I fell for it, don’t let it happen to you!
Shocking customer service and non response.
They cancelled our cruise without notice.
Promised full refund and all expenses
Nothing has happened.
Having to claim in the small claims court.
Appalling company
Absolutely terrible. Avoid at all costs
We booked the holiday of a lifetime around an Azamara Cruise in South Africa next January. I will NEVER EVER book with Azamara again. I echo other comments about communications and customer care right from the start, messing up bookings, being impossible to contact. Just after taking our money, they have now changed our itinerary - not just a bit (as you know you have to accept with a cruise) but swapped 2 ports for 2 sea days. As soon as they did this, we tried to cancel - but they would not let us without losing our money. No apology. No replies to my emails. They have changed the itinerary so completely, this is just not a cruise I want now. They tried to tell us they had done it as a result of customer feedback - but if you have booked a cruise of 7 ports in South Africa - how would anyone think that dropping 2 out of 7 ports to spend extra days and nights bobbing about on the ocean would be what anyone would want. They could not even be bothered to answer my emails or complaints. I've had far better customer care from 2 star hostels. Dreadful company. Buyer beware. Read the small print very carefully because no-one will care about you once you place your booking.
I booked a cruise from Venice to Athens in May and suffered all the nonsense that all guests were subjected to in the time leading up to the cruise due to Azamara ‘system upgrades’. These difficulties included pre-booked shore excursions disappearing off the booking and for a week or so the whole booking vanished! Contacting the company is a nightmare and on one occasion when I did get through the lady ‘helping’ me herself had difficulties and exclaimed
“ J—- s C——t this f——-g system! Charming. Whilst on the cruise I had an accident whilst ashore at one of the stops. I was assessed by the ship doctor but had to seek specialist support at hospital in Rhodes. The trip was curtailed and I flew home. The onboard account on the tv in our cabin showed credit for cancelled excursions and the bill for medical treatment. Even after the medical treatment I was in credit for over 100 usd and I was advised that this would be credited to me within 7 days of the cruise finishing. It has now been 14 weeks and apart from emails from a young lady trying to help, I have had nothing. I guess I will need to chalk this up to experience but please please learn from my experience and avoid this cruise line.
Vi var på et krydstogt med Azamara Journey fra Barcelona til Bordeaux. Det var den mest fantastiske tur - vi blev vartet op og forkælet i 14 dage. Personalet var meget kompetent, smilende og hjælpsom. Maden og vinen var bare så lækker og helt i top. Underholdning var rigtig god. Vi købte ingen ture hos selskabet - men fandt selv busser, taxa, hestevogn og tuktuk. Langt de fleste steder lagde skibet til i havnen nær byen - 2 gange var der arrangeret gratis shuttlebus når byen var længere væk. Alt var rigtig rigtig godt.
We just finished our first cruise with Azamara Onward - a 12-night cruise along the northern Mediterian and eastern Adriatic. Prior to booking, we heard so many wonderful things about Azamare and its onboard service that we were looking forward to experiencing it for ourselves. We might have been expecting too much.
My wife and I are pretty experienced cruisers. We’ve been on Viking Ocean and River, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribean, and Virgin. We appreciate the small ship experience on Viking and Azamara more than the large mega-ship craziness of Royal Caribean or Princess, and more than the full-time party of Virgin. We’re looking for quality ship decor, attentive service, extraordinary food, entertaining shows, and informative, inspiring, shore excursions.
We expected all this and more from Azamara. What we experienced was pretty average. We did have a couple of “Wow” moments; but, over 12 days of cruising there was more “ho-hum” than “wow”.
We booked an Ocean Suite. It was pricey; but, it did deliver a sitting room separate from a sizable bedroom and both a full and half bath. The room was comfortable with a large balcony facing the bow of the ship. The balcony was crowded with too much furniture so there was no room to stand; but, the furniture did give us get places to relax without having to compete for a lounge chair on the pool deck.
Onboard entertainment. We didn’t expect any full-scale production numbers. Onward did have a troupe of four singers and a dancer who performed several evenings. The cruise director did double duty as an occasional performer who also told bad jokes about his grandfather, and there was a piano player/singer who performed a couple of times each evening. Nothing over the top. Nothing to knock your socks off. No real wow factor; but, okay entertainment. We did have an AzAmazing evening opera performance in a historical coastal fortification that lived up to the marketing promise; but, I wouldn’t stand in line to do it again. We also had an onboard White Night party on the pool deck that included local musicians, a buffet, performances from the ship’s troupe, and a parade of the onboard crew. It delivered on the promise of a White Night pool deck party and was something different.
In addition to the live entertainment, Azamara has a television in each guest room. Unfortunately, the TV is limited to one movie each day that runs in a loop. You just have to be lucky to catch it at the beginning. Similarly, there is one TV series that runs in a continual loop each day. There is no on-demand TV service. Too bad.
I mentioned that we booked an Ocean Suite which included complimentary specialty dining. One of the specialty dining options that the website features is the Chef’s Table. We experienced the Chef’s Table once during the 12-day cruise. The food was good. The presentation was lovely. The $190 bill at the end of the complimentary specialty dining was a surprise. It took most of the remaining cruise to get Azamara to back off their demand that we pay for the Chef’s Table which the website claimed was included in the complimentary specialty dining. They eventually did back off; but, the experience was less than satisfying. Just be aware that if you book a suite that includes complimentary specialty dining, it does not include complimentary specialty dining.
Also, the Ocean Suite included a Premium Beverage Package for both of us. Don’t waste your money. There is a wide selection of complementary beverages onboard. The Premium Beverage Package just adds a few mid-price spirits and no premium wines. I didn’t realize that in addition to the Premium Beverage Package, there is also an Ultimate Beverage Package. The Ultimate adds more spirits; but, in my opinion, isn’t worth the money.
All in all, the onboard experience delivered on the marketing hype - except the complimentary specialty dining wasn’t complimentary. Other than that it was okay. It wasn’t amazing or over the top. We’ve seen much better on other cruises.
The invoice we received from Azamara included detail about the cost of the room, port taxes, and airfare. It also included a line labeled "Charges" for $800. We challenged them on this because they were just padding the bill. Ultimately they backed off and agreed to refund the money. But, I would double-check everything and look for unsupported costs.
Having done seven cruises with azamara we will never book with them again.Just paid for cruise no 8 with them at short notice for a cruise in three weeks time, having paid in full we then get a call from the travel agent to say azamara bumped the price up by 600 pounds.They can get lost ,and given our last two trips (we do at least three cruises a year)have been with a different cruise company it’s safe to say we will be sticking with them in future.The travel agent bent over backwards to assist but azamara were having none of it.Don’t treat loyal customers like mugs.Will be amazed if Azamara still exists in 12 months.
EDIT
Having read through the last few reviews I’m starting to think we’ve had a lucky escape by stopping our payment.I was disappointed at the time but phew .
Horrible!!!! Don't do it! It's a watered down version of a real high end cruise with the WORST customer service shoreside. I've contacted them 8 times over 3 months with very simple questions about my past cruises/loyalty program. If I do get a reply, it's weeks later and does not address my questions. Even if you do make it throrugh the horrific customer service, website that has been limited/down for over 3 months, etc. the onboard experience is lame at best. The cabins suck--super small bath. The food is OK but good luck getting a seat in either the buffet or main dining room....the service is stretched SOOOO thin that they are frantic and unable to even get you a glass of water before you're done eating. The entire thing has become a total joke. The word on the street is that they are going to file for bankruptcy...
Can't get my refund. It has been six weeks, and now they are saying 60 more days before I can get a refund. Yeah, while they claim bankruptcy and then never pay anyone back! To all consumers: this company is on the verge of bankruptcy. DO NOT BOOK OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY. If you have already booked with them, cancel and initiate a CHARGE-BACK through your credit card before it is too late!
I wish I had read these reviews before I booked a cruise with Azamara. I tried to call them to see if I could change my reservation and was unable to get through to them, always on hold. Fianlly, out of frustration I emailed them to cancel the reservation. I received a reply saying the deposit would be refunded in 30-60 days. Three months have gone by and no refund issues. I can not reach them by phone. Please be aware of booking a cruise with this company.
One of the fraud company in India,worst services,worst employees & all the people are fraud.
Don't take any membership for this group.They will said you different different but actual is different.
Please don't take AZMARA CLUB Membership.its fraud company.
Is it appropriate for a captain to belittle their staff in front of passengers? Would you appreciate having your size referred to as a punchline for their joke? Ask Azamara. I've tried and had no response! Maybe this cruise line should consider it's position?
I booked an Azamara cruise through my travel agent for the first time. Ever since their website failed months ago, it has been a nightmare. What kind of company can one do NOTHING with them online in the year 2023? And cannot call them. They don't answer. I paid a huge sum to them before all of this happened. What have I gotten for my money? Months of anxiety. I wish I'd never heard of this company. Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from this cruise line. Even if the cruise is fantastic, they could not pay me to have anything to do with them in the future. Oh, and it seems they have an F rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Azamara Club Cruises is a small ship cruise line known for its immersive travel experiences that emphasize local culture and destinations. The company offers a variety of cruise itineraries across diverse regions, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and South Pacific. With a focus on providing personalized service and unique excursions, Azamara aims to enhance the travel experience for its guests by allowing them to explore destinations in depth.
Targeting discerning travelers who seek a more intimate cruising experience, Azamara Club Cruises caters to individuals and families interested in discovering new cultures and landscapes. The company provides various onboard amenities and options for customization, such as signature dining and curated shore excursions. By emphasizing smaller ships and unique itineraries, Azamara differentiates itself in the competitive cruise industry, appealing to those looking for a more tailored and enriching vacation experience.
